In upwardly mobile Elephant and Castle, the Southwark campus of London South Bank University (LSBU) has been its main base since it was founded in 1892 as the Borough Polytechnic Institute. A university since 1992, LSBU is underpinned by its civic mission to provide “industrial skill, general knowledge, health and wellbeing” to the people and businesses of south London. A professional, practical accent to course provision ranges from the technology and baking science degrees delivered by its National Bakery School (the world’s oldest baking institution, founded in 1894) to courses at LSBU’s business and healthcare campus in Croydon, which opened in 2022.
The university is part of the LSBU Group — a network that includes a further education college, a technical college, an academy school and a sixth form. In keeping with its vocational slant, LSBU has one of the largest cohorts of degree apprentices in the country — with more than 2,300 enrolled across 23 standards spanning the fields of health and social care, engineering and built environment, business, management and professional practice, digital marketing, and surveying and property.
It has also taken a less traditional path by appointing a vice-chancellor, Paul Kett, who has a background in business, rather than academia.
What is London South Bank University’s reputation?
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 rated 68 per cent of research submitted by LSBU as world-leading or internationally excellent (up 14 percentage points compared with the previous REF, in 2014), and LSBU ranks 91st in our research quality index.
LSBU maintained a silver rating overall in the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023, underpinned by a silver for student outcomes but only bronze for the student experience. The assessors highlighted LSBU’s “very high continuation and completion rates, with outstanding outcomes for some student groups and subject areas”. However, our data shows that across all areas the LSBU students’ projected continuation rate of 84.6 per cent is relatively poor, placing the university 114th for this metric.
Rates of student satisfaction improved last year, but have dipped according to our analysis of the latest National Student Survey: LSBU ranks 89= for students’ evaluation of teaching quality (down 19 places) and 103= for satisfaction with the wider experience (a 14-place decline). The discontent may be related to financial struggles at the university, which reported a budget deficit of £16.4 million and announced job cuts in 2024.
What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?
New degree offerings are available in acting for stage and screen; pharmaceutical science; cyber security (including with placement); computer science (conversion, including with placement); data science (with placement); applied artificial intelligence (with placement); product design and technology; engineering product design; architectural technology (with foundation year); civil engineering (with foundation year); architecture (with foundation year); education; and apprenticeships in building services engineering and civil engineering.
What are London South Bank University’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?
Some of LSBU’s most competitive courses require 128 Ucas tariff points, but most need at least 112 Ucas tariff points. The TEF 2023 found that more than half of full-time students enter with Btecs, access or foundation courses, or “none, unknown or other entry qualifications”, rather than with A-levels.
Instead of a contextual offer policy the university takes a “non-standard application approach” — looking at predicted sixth form grades as well as taking GCSE or equivalent qualifications into consideration, plus skills, knowledge or experience gained outside education. The university will also bear any extenuating circumstances in mind. About 30 per cent of students came through clearing.
What are the graduate prospects?
The majority of courses are accredited by professional bodies or developed in partnership with employers. LSBU has made the most of its London location by cultivating links with more than 1,500 organisations, including the National Theatre, London Underground, Bafta, the NHS, Unilever and Lidl. In our analysis of the Graduate Outcomes survey, tracking the proportion in highly skilled work or further study after 15 months, LSBU ranks 64=.
What is London South Bank University’s campus like?
More than £65 million has been invested in the main campus in Southwark, not far from the South Bank cultural complex. The flagship Hub reopened in 2022 after a two-year renovation to build a new library, computer rooms and canteen.
The School of Health and Social Care underpins LSBU’s mission to become the university of choice for the NHS and the healthcare workforce in the capital. LSBU has opened a business and healthcare campus in Croydon, with a chiropractic clinic for London’s only undergraduate master’s degree in the subject.
When can I visit?
lsbu.ac.uk
Everything you need to know about London South Bank University’s student life and wellbeing support
Students have London on their doorstep and the university’s renovated Hub is the go-to centrepiece of life at the Southwark site.
Access is free to sports facilities such as the gym on the Southwark site, where four fitness studios deliver more than 30 classes a week. Students at the Croydon and Havering campuses can join virtual classes.
Support for mental health includes confidential one-to-ones with a wellbeing adviser as well as self-help and online support.
What do the students say?
“It’s a great campus experience. At the Student Life Centre — home of the students’ union — students can find a sense of belonging in events and activities. LSBU’s location champions diversity, and you can easily engage with the best of what London has to offer.”
Charlotte Adams, students’ union president
What about student accommodation at London South Bank University?
In 2023-24 7.4 per cent of first-years lived in LSBU’s halls. There is no specific accommodation guarantee but the university says it can house all students who need it.
How diverse and inclusive is London South Bank University?
Nearly three-quarters (72.7 per cent) of the intake are from ethnic minority backgrounds (the eighth highest nationally) and 96.9 per cent from non-selective state schools (15th), putting LSBU in 31st place in our social inclusion index (up from 34th last year). LSBU provides targeted support to schools with a high percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals.
Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at London South Bank University
There are bursaries of £1,000 a year for care leavers, students estranged from their families, and young carer students. The Lawrence Burrows Education Trust funds ten bursaries of £3,000 for students with a West Indian or Asian background.
